Author Archives: rachelocal

Spinach and Spring Onion Frittata with Fresh Greens (or Greens, Eggs, and No Ham)

May 3, 2012 by rachelocal

I received two very good gifts this week. Gifts are always good, but these were very good because they involved food: eggs from Valerie and greens from John. What a perfect combination for an easy weeknight frittata and green salad! After visiting John’s backyard where he cut me some spinach and romaine, I took to the kitchen. I washed the greens and broke some eggs, eight in all, including four left from Valerie’s gift. I’m meeting the chickens that produced […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Gardening, Recipes, Spring Recipes • Tags: food, frittata, green onions, life, local, spinach, spring onions, vegetarian

Six Documentaries that Changed my Food Perspective

May 1, 2012 by rachelocal

I’m a Netflix junkie. Nothing I like more than surfing the choices streaming through my husband’s Playstation 3. I’ve relived six seasons of The Office, discovered Parks and Recreation (Ron Swanson is my hero), cringed my way through a couple episodes of Hoarders, and guiltily enjoyed each episode of The Tudors (in quick succession). I also enjoy the occasional documentary. When I watch one I feel like my mindless TV viewing is purposeful and even academic. While common sense and […]

Categories: Documentaries, Random • Tags: Dive, documentaries, food, Food Fight, Forks over Knives, Fresh, health, life, local, Michael Pollan, movies, Netflix

Liquid Poetry at Chaddsford Winery

April 28, 2012 by rachelocal

My friends and I meandered over to Chadds Ford, PA for a little fun and a wine tasting. Seeing as I’m going completely local in just over a month, I need to start nailing down where I’m going to get the necessities, like wine. I don’t take myself too seriously, but there’s always something very serious about wine. Tasting wine is an event, an experience. It even comes with its own vocabulary. My friends and I decided words like complexity, […]

Categories: Local Stores, Wineries • Tags: brandywine valley wine trail, Chaddsford Winery, cheese, food, life, local, wine

BJ’s Goes Local

April 28, 2012 by rachelocal

My mother loves stores like BJ’s Wholesale Club and Costco. She will come home with giant containers of olive oil and enough ketchup to last a thousand summer barbecues. The produce she buys there is always so pristine and BIG. Enormous apples, large cellophane packages of bright red peppers, and oranges as big as my face. I can’t help but think this is unnatural. The produce is too glossy, too perfect. So when my brother told me BJ’s will offer […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Local Farms, Local Stores • Tags: BJ's Wholesale Club, Costco, farming, food, life, local

Pink Slime, Coasters and Personal Responsibility

April 27, 2012 by rachelocal

While ordering coasters from my friend Julie’s Etsy shop, Maida Some Art, I discovered Etsy’s blog. I’m always up for reading a blog, so I perused the topics. Lo and behold, I found a post by Danielle Tsi called “How Pink Slime Can Make You a Better Eater.” My interest was piqued, of course, as pink slime is a topic that spurs me on to become a social activist, complete with picket sign and slogan. Danielle’s take on the whole thing is […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Local Farms • Tags: art, farmer's market, food, fructose corn syrup, life, local, pink slime

A Local Eggplant Conundrum

April 24, 2012 by rachelocal

I bought an eggplant. It was local, of course. Because it was the only local item at the farmer’s market, I snatched it up, cradled it like a baby for a few seconds, and proudly put it in my shopping cart. This was before I remembered that I’m not a fan of eggplant (that “local” sign gets me every time). I’ve had it before. Breaded and fried in the ubiquitous Eggplant Parm. Or hidden in a veggie Panini. Each time I’ve […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Recipes, Summer Recipes • Tags: eggplant, farmer's market, food, local, locavore, pasta, recipe, vegetarian

Local Flavor at Home Grown Cafe

April 20, 2012 by rachelocal

When I was younger, I referred to Home Grown Cafe as “that hippie place” on Main Street. Now well into my adult years, I view Home Grown Cafe as more hipster than hippie. Home Grown does things on its own terms. It is culturally aware and upholds certain food values. Vegan options abound on the menu and local bands play often. I can’t label Home Grown as completely hipster, because the owners obviously care about the food and the restaurant environment. […]

Categories: Local Farms, Restaurant • Tags: CSA, farmer's market, food, local, locavore, restaurants, vegan

How to Plant Local Corn

April 16, 2012 by rachelocal

Last Friday I was pleased to hear John on my voice mail. Was I interested in helping him plant the last of the corn? Does he even have to ask? I was thrilled to help! I rushed home to change into appropriate farmer gear. (No, not overalls, but I’m considering purchasing a pair. Too bad I didn’t keep my “grunge” ones from the 90s. I was so cool.) After grabbing my compost bucket, I headed to John’s house. Yes, you read […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Gardening • Tags: blue birds, corn, food, gardening, life, local

Ranch Hand Chickens and Other Definitions

April 16, 2012 by rachelocal

In general conversation as of late, I’ve been throwing around food terms, assuming others are on my page. The most common question is,“What’s a CSA?” I’m happy to explain (with gusto) that a CSA is the best thing ever. Wondering if there are other food terms I use that people have never heard of, I decided to try an experiment using the husband as my test subject. You’d think he would know all about these particular terms, since they are […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Gardening, Random • Tags: definitions, food, free range, GMOs, life, locavore, organic, slow food movement, sustainable agriculture

Phew! I Am Not a Gardening Failure

April 14, 2012 by rachelocal

The other morning I walked tentatively to the garden bed to find an excellent surprise: the garden is growing! I’m not sure why I’m so surprised by this “phenomenon.” Don’t gardens grow? Isn’t that what they do? Wasn’t that the purpose of sowing seeds and watering incessantly? All true, but I am still heaving a sigh filled with relief and anticipation. So far, here’s what my labor produced: The arugula is coming along nicely, but I do believe the little […]

Categories: Gardening • Tags: arugula, food, gardening, life, local, locavore, radishes

Parsnip Accolades

April 13, 2012 by rachelocal

I’ve been talking about parsnips a lot lately. Mainly because my friend Valerie gave me one from her garden, and also because they are delicious when smashed with sweet potatoes and topped with goat cheese. One particular parsnip, Valerie’s miracle parsnip, has brought me joy of another kind. Because of my review of said parsnip, Valerie’s husband Rogers included me as an example of “pretty good writing” on his blog, The Writing Rag. This blog shares tips on how to […]

Categories: Gardening, Local Farms • Tags: accolades, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, food, life, local, locavore, parsnip

A Letter to My Inner Foodie on the Subject of Becoming a Locavore

April 12, 2012 by rachelocal

Dear Inner Foodie, I hate to break it to you, but you have been beguiled by the slow food movement, and you are in for a rude awakening. Eating locally and being a “foodie” are not the same thing. At all. While the definition of foodie is varied, I like this one best: having a love of food for consumption, preparation, and study (thank you, Wikipedia). Unfortunately for you, the definition of a locavore is not as broad: a person […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Random • Tags: food, gardening, life, local, locavore, slow food movement

The Well-Inspired Three Bean Three Pepper Turkey Chili

April 11, 2012 by rachelocal

While traversing Lancaster Pike in Hockessin, I passed a friendly looking barn-like building, complete with green roof and faux silo. Intrigued, I made a very illegal u-turn. What I found was The Well Marketplace. When I entered the store I was greeted by a happy sight–an array of flower bouquets. A nice welcome. The store is not large. In fact, I would say it’s more of an upscale convenience store than a full-fledged market. In fact, The Well is so […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Fall Recipes, Local Stores, Random, Recipes, Winter Recipes • Tags: chili, food, ground turkey, local, locavore, swiss chard, woodside farm ice cream

The Amish Know Best

April 10, 2012 by rachelocal

Every time I walk through the doors of the Dutch Country Farmer’s Market, I’m hit with a heady aroma evoking nothing but happy thoughts—Saturday morning breakfast, still-hot apple pie, blueberry picking in the sunshine, cozy Sunday afternoon naps, and s’mores around a bonfire. It’s hard not to think happy thoughts when fresh bread is baking, bacon is sizzling at the lunch counter, and local produce is awaiting my shopping cart. And do you know why this place is so heart-warming […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Local Farms • Tags: Amish, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, farmer's market, food, local, sustainable agriculture

Sprouting

April 9, 2012 by rachelocal

Originally posted on Passion for Family:
Over the winter, I started sprouting seeds and beans on a weekly basis. I was looking to grow some nutrient-rich food that had not been drown in chemicals and other pesticides! Since I could not use my garden, I thought the next best thing would be to try sprouting some seeds. I had heard a bit about sprouting from a man at the Farmer’s Market this past summer but thought it was going to be messy and tedious.…

Categories: Gardening, Random, Recipes • Tags: food, gardening, local, locavore, sprouts